The Cultures Of The Subcontinent Expressed In Filigree

Based in Lahore, Pakistan Amna Shariff’s luxurious silver and gold jewelry have always been inspired by the rich tradition of the lands where the Indus Valley civilization flourished. She shares her goal is to draw from tradition without being “heavy”, while reaching for the modern without becoming “soulless.”

Full of mystery and symbolism, her most recent collection draws inspiration from the Mughal Era, a period in South Asian history rich with culture and history. “Flowers have been one of the most beloved adornments in South Asian heritage and culture. Symbolizing purity, celebration, and devotion — embedded in this motif are tales of many lovers.” However, Shariff gives these floral motifs a modern spin; “Our use of flowers attempts to subvert the idea that women may only be adorned for the gaze of a man or to celebrate communion. Instead, “flower power” is our new motto. These nostalgic fragrant bodies now encapsulate and reclaim the union of femininity and natural expression, divinity, beauty, and splendor.”

Shariff’s workshop, established in 2001, is a small but all-encompassing, one-of-a-kind facility in Lahore—if not in the whole of Pakistan—where manufacturing begins with raw material and ends with a ready-for-market, finished product. From making pure silver into sterling silver, to fabricating a designed piece, to polishing and finishing, all of this is done under one roof.

However, this feat has not been easy. Shariff shares her path to becoming an artisan was a winding one, “After several career moves, I felt very unhappy working in an office setting. I came to realize that my greatest source of career dissatisfaction was the lack of creativity in my work. Coming to this realization was what pushed me to make the life-changing decision to enroll in a course on jewelry design in London. Upon returning to Lahore, I spent every waking minute immersed in silver.” As a woman in a patriarchal society, she has also experienced her fair share of challenges. Regardless, Shariff remains committed to empowering young women to master their craft while carving out their own place in society.